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Living Free - April 8, 2013

"For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it." - James 1:23-25 NLT

Thoughts for Today

Are you or someone you care about struggling with a life-controlling problem?

Think about your life as a long car trip. It started at birth--and of course your parents drove for quite a few years. But then you took over the steering wheel.

You did fine for a while--but lately you're beginning to wonder about the direction you are going. You wonder exactly where you are right now and whether or not you should even be visiting this particular region.

One way to identify your location is to start (if you haven't already) reading the signs along the side of the road. They indicate what highway you're following, in what direction you're headed, and what destination you'd like to reach. Then compare that with the road map of God's Word.

Consider this …

This week we will be describing some of the road signs that might reveal a life-controlling problem. Are you willing to look carefully at the direction you are going and compare that to the principles found in God's Word?

Father, I have some questions and doubts about the direction my life is moving. Help me to be willing to look carefully and honestly at what I'm doing and where I'm going. In Jesus' name …

These thoughts were drawn from …

Insight Group: Discover the Path to Christian Character by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. With its emphasis on developing Christian character it is a powerful group for those who want to be sure to prevent life-controlling problems from developing in their lives, as well as for those who need to overcome a current problem.

It enhances people's understanding of themselves and others.

It helps people bond together in meaningful relationships.

It helps prepare people for more meaningful relationships in subsequent small groups like home groups and Sunday school classes.

It surfaces people for help who may otherwise never seek help.

It helps break down the segregation of people in churches, turning "those people" and "our kind of people" into just "us."

It helps prepare people to minister to others.

It serves as a powerful evangelistic tool by ministering to people's felt needs and then pointing them to Christ.

Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.